Eyeglass support

ABSTRACT

A device for enhancing support of eyeglasses on the head of a person. The device is in the form of an independent support member or an adjustable strap having a support member to enhance support of eyeglasses. The strap may include a cushion to provide comfort. The support member includes a hook for supporting the eyeglasses. The device is useful for supporting eyeglasses from the bridge of the nose of a person who has undergone rhinoplasty surgery or for supporting heavy equipment associated with eyeglasses used for surgical applications. The independent support member is easily attached to a head-engaging device and eyeglasses to enhance support of the eyeglasses.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an appliance including asupport member for supporting eyeglasses on the head of a user. Theappliance is adjustable to different heads sizes and includes a supportmember to support eyeglasses off the nose of a person having undergonerhinoplasty surgery. The appliance may also be used with relativelyheavy apparatus such as that used in surgical applications. Alsodisclosed is a support member, which may be easily and independentlyattachable to head-encircling devices to provide support for eyeglasses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Various devices have been proposed to keep eyeglasses from contactingthe bridge of the nose of a patient who has undergone rhinoplastysurgery. See, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,885 issued to Aronsohn.This device employs support members affixed to an eyeglass frame wherebythe frame is supported off the bridge of the user's nose. However, thesupport members can cause an obstruction to the downward field ofvision, a disadvantage especially for those with bifocal lenses.

U.S. Patent Publication US 2006/0098160 A1 discloses a complicatedbalancing system that needs to be incorporated with the particulareyeglasses being worn. This system requires careful balancing andpositioning of attachments.

U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2006/0077339 A1 and U.S. PatentApplication Publication US 2006/0082723 A1 disclose devices attacheddirectly to the eyeglasses to support the eyeglasses off the bridge ofthe nose. However, these devices require altering the eyeglasses, thusdestroying the original style of the eyeglasses, requiring expensivereplacement after the need for keeping the eyeglasses off the nose is nolonger required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedpost-surgical (rhinoplasty in particular) appliance that can aid in thehealing process by holding eyeglasses spaced from the bridge of the noseof the wearer. Another object of the invention is to provide anappliance that is adjustable to different head sizes and does notrequire alteration of the eyeglasses or obstruct downward field ofvision. A further object is to provide an appliance that is convenient,comfortable and easy to use to aid in the healing of a patient's nose. Afurther object of the invention is to provide an appliance that assistsin holding eyeglasses used in surgical applications where attachmentssuch as light devices or magnifiers are mounted to the glasses. Finally,an object of the invention is to provide an independent support memberthat may be easily attached to a head-engaging appliance to supporteyeglasses.

The above objects are achieved by the present invention, which utilizesa head-encircling strap attached to a support member that holds glassesspaced from the bridge of the nose of the wearer. The support memberoptionally has a padding of sufficient thickness to provide comfort tothe user and space the glasses a few millimeters away from the user'snose. The strap is adjustable in length and is attached to the supportmember. The free ends of the support member may be bent back to formloops to aid in the attachment and removal of the head-encircling strap.The support member may also be provided with integral connectingportions to attach to the strap.

In one embodiment, a retention bracket is pivotally mounted to thesupport member for retaining the glasses or other appliance on a hookportion of the support member.

In another embodiment, the head-engaging strap is adjustable by a pawlengagable with a selected hole in the strap and a sheath is providedthat partially encloses the support member and strap.

In another embodiment, an independent support member is provided whichcan be easily attached to a head-encircling strap, which supportsvision-enhancing surgical devices.

In a typical embodiment of the present invention, the appliance is madeup of the following elements: (1) an adjustable band which encircles thehead of a user, (2) a support member attached to the strap at each endand including a curved hook to support the glasses thereon and (3) a padattached to the support member to cushion the support member against thehead and to act as a spacer to hold the eyeglasses away from the nose.

Further, this invention can also have one or more of the following: (1)an additional strap attached to the support member and to the headencircling strap to engage the top of the head, (2) a pivoting pawlengageable with a selected hole in the strap to enable the strap the beadjustable in length and a sheath at least partially enclosing thesupport member and strap and (3) an independent support member which maybe easily attached to a head-engaging apparatus and eyeglasses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a post-surgical appliance according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a connector used to secure the strap to thesupport member.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a connecting portion of the support memberaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a connecting portion of the support memberaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a connecting portion of the support memberaccording to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a connector used to secure the strap to thesupport member according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the post-surgical appliance according tothe present invention as it is applied to the head of a patient.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 wherein a head-engagingstrap is provided according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the appliance according to yet anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pawl assembly of the embodiment ofFIG. 11.

FIG. 12A is a sectional view of the pawl mechanism used in FIG. 11 in alatched position.

FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the pawl mechanism of FIG. 12A in anunlatched condition.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the strap used in the embodiment of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the appliance of FIG. 11 used with avisor having a light thereon.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the hinge assembly of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thesupport member.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the support member of FIG. 16 attachedto a device used in surgical applications.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a post-surgical appliance according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the appliance of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the appliance of FIG. 18 in a closed position.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the appliance of FIG. 18 in a closedposition.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged partial view of the rear view of FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a rear view of the appliance of FIG. 18 in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawing Figures: The device 10, generally shown inFIG. 1, comprises a head encircling strap 20 and a generally T-shapedsupport member 12.

Strap 20 in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is preferably of well-knownmaterial such as elastic fabric used in the manufacture of women's brastraps. However, the strap may be made from any material suitable forthis purpose.

Support member 12 is preferably made from plastic, although otherlightweight materials such as metal may be used. Support member 12includes a curved hook member 14, although any shape that providessupport may be employed, depending on the shape of the apparatus to besupported. Hook member 14 serves as a support for eyeglasses or otherdevices intended to be supported on the head of a user. For example, ifeyeglasses are to be supported, the bridge of the glasses would beplaced on the hook member.

The free ends of the horizontal portion of support member 12 are bentback to form loops 16 to provide eyelets that secure a portion ofconnector 22 therein. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, connectors22 are in the form of two closed loops.

FIGS. 1 and 2 further show a cushion 18 attached to support member 12.The cushion may be in the form of a foam or fabric pad to providecomfort to the forehead of a patient and to space the support and hookmember a few millimeters away from the bridge of the nose when thedevice is placed on the head of the patient. Each end of strap 20 issecured to loops 16 by passing around connectors 22 as seen in FIGS.1-4. One or both ends of the strap may be made adjustable by threadingthe strap through an additional connector 22 in a known manner.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the strap 20 is securedto support member 12 by connector 24. Connector 24 differs fromconnector 22 in that one of the loop portions is not closed. Such anopen configuration facilitates easy and quick attachment and removal ofthe strap 20.

FIGS. 5-7 show other embodiments wherein the free end(s) of support 12are formed with connector portions that are formed integrally with thesupport member. These integral connector portions negate the need forseparate connectors to attach the strap 20 to the support 12.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the connector portion of the support member12 terminates in two facing projections spaced from each other toprovide for easy connection to strap 20.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the connector portion of the support memberis formed as an integral hook for easy connection of strap 20.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the connector portion of the support member12 forms a closed loop.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the device 10A wherein ahead-engaging strap 23 is attached to the support member at one end andis provided with a loop 24 at the other end. Loop 24 allows for slidingmovement of the strap 23 along strap 20. Strap 23 engages the top of thepatient's head when the device is worn. An additional connector 22 maybe provided on strap 23 to adjust the length of the strap in the samemanner as connector 22 on strap 20.

FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of the device 10B wherein thesupport member and both the end portions of strap 20 a that connect tothe T-shaped support member are surrounded by a sheath 25. Hook member14 of the T-shaped support member extends through an opening in sheath25. One end of the strap 20 a is provided with perforations 29 as bestseen in FIG. 13 and the other end of the strap is provided with a strapengaging member 26. Strap engaging member 26 includes a pawl 27pivotally mounted on base 28 as best seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The pawl27 may be manually pivoted away from the strap 20 a by application offorce in the direction of arrow 38 to allow the strap 20 a to slide inbase 28 until the desired circumference of the strap is obtained. Atthat point, the pawl is released to engage in one of the holes 29 tohold the strap 20 a in the desired size. Sheath 25 may be provided withpadding for comfort. This embodiment is particularly useful to holdheavy eyeglasses or other sight enhancing appliances on the head of auser in such a way as to support the weight of the eyeglasses or otherappliance.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment wherein the device 10B is attached to avisor 39 having a battery powered light 36 pivotally mounted thereon.This embodiment is particularly useful when extra light is requiredwhile using eyeglasses such as in the case of surgical applications.Also, as in the embodiment of FIG. 11 described above, it is useful forsupporting heavier eye appliances. Visor 39 is pivotally attached toband 20 b via connecting assembly 34. Band 20 b is similar to band 20 aof FIG. 11 except that holes 21 are provided to receive bolt 30. Theconnecting assembly is shown in detail in FIG. 15. Threaded bolt 30passes through hole 21 in strap 20 then through bolt support 40, visor39, washer 31, spring washer 32, then a second washer 31 before matingwith threaded hole 37 of nut 35. A spring washer 32 is sandwichedbetween two flat washers. This assembly allows the visor to be pivotedand held in any position when the visor is connected to the strap 20 b.In that way, the visor may be pivoted downwardly when extra light isneeded or pivoted to an up position when the visor and light is notrequired. Strap 20 a may also be provided with another hole 21 andassembly such as shown in FIG. 15 on the opposite side of the visor.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the support member 12 a that can beused as an easily attachable and removable independent support member.Support member 12 a is generally Y-shaped to include three portionshaving free ends. Hook member 14 a similar to hook member 14 of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1 and forms one leg of the Y shape. Legs 41 arein the form of hooks and form the other two portions of the Y shape.Legs 41 are spaced from each other in a manner to provide clearance fora portion of a surgical device 44, as seen FIG. 17. In use, hooks 41 areplaced over strap 43 and hook 14 a supports the bridge of eyeglasses 45.Surgical device 42 includes an instrument such as a light source ormagnifying device, which may be attached to eyeglasses 45. Such lightsource or magnifying device is relatively heavy. When support 12 a ishooked onto the strap 43 and the glasses are placed on hook member 14 a,the weight of the light source or magnifying device is borne by thesupport 12 a, thus alleviating pressure on the nose of the wearer. Thisembodiment therefore provides an independent and easily attachabledevice for adding comfort to a person such as a surgeon who uses anappliance such as that shown in FIG. 17.

With reference to FIGS. 18-23, a modified embodiment of the device 10comprises a generally T-shaped support member 120 which is configured toattach to a head encircling strap 20 as shown in FIG. 1.

Support member 120 is preferably made from plastic, although otherlightweight materials such as metal may be used. Support member 120includes a curved hook member 140, although any shape that providessupport may be employed, depending on the shape of the apparatus to besupported. Hook member 140 serves as a support for eyeglasses or otherdevices intended to be supported on the head of a user. For example, ifeyeglasses are to be supported, the bridge of the glasses would beplaced on the hook member 140. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the hookmember 140 is formed with a reinforcement crease 142 to add strength tothe hook member 140 while permitting some amount of bending. Thereinforcement crease 142 is preferably integrally molded into the hookmember 140 but the crease 142 may be a separate attachment to addrigidity to the hook member 140.

As with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the free ends of the horizontalportion of support member 120 are bent back to form loops 160 to provideeyelets that secure a portion of connector 22 (see FIG. 1) therein. Inthe embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, connectors 22 are in the form of twoclosed loops.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a cushion 18 may be attached tosupport member 120. The cushion may be in the form of a foam or fabricpad to provide comfort to the forehead of a patient and to space thesupport and hook member a few millimeters away from the bridge of thenose when the device is placed on the head of the patient. Each end ofstrap 20 is secured to loops 16 by passing around connectors 22 as seenin FIGS. 1-4. One or both ends of the strap may be made adjustable bythreading the strap through an additional connector 22 in a knownmanner.

In an effort to improve the holding ability of the support member 120when, for example, eyeglasses are to be supported, a pivoting retentionbracket 150 is provided on the vertical extension 130 of the T-shapedsupport member. In that case, the bridge of the glasses would be placedon the hook member 140 and the retention bracket 150 would be moved fromthe open position (see FIG. 18) to the closed position (see FIG. 21).The retention bracket 150 is pivotally mounted onto a vertical slot 132in the vertical extension 130 by way of a fastener 152 that secures thebracket 150 at various positions along the slot 132. Washers 153 may beprovided as part of the fastening system for the retention bracket 130.

In the preferred embodiment, the retention bracket 150 is furtherprovided with a dimple 154 (See FIG. 18) to align the retention bracket150 along the vertical slot 132.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 22, a rivet 152 a isultrasonically welded to a backing washer to fasten the retentionbracket 150 to the vertical extension 130.

While the present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited tothese disclosed embodiments. This invention may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided byway of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough,complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments ofthe invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to whichthis invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered byboth this disclosure and the drawings

1. A device for enhancing support of eyeglasses on the head of a person,comprising: a first strap adapted to encircle the head of the person;and a support member for supporting eyeglasses thereon, said supportmember comprising connector portions at free ends thereof whereby saidfirst strap may be connected to the support member; and said supportmember further including a hook member engageable with the eyeglassesand a retention bracket adjustably positioned adjacent to the hookmember to retain the eyeglasses on said hook member.
 2. The device, asin claim 1, wherein said retention bracket is fastened to a slot formedin said support member.
 3. The device, as in claim 2, wherein saidretention bracket is provided with an alignment dimple that engages saidslot to align said retention bracket with said slot.
 4. The device, asin claim 1, wherein said support member is generally T-shaped having ahorizontal portion and a vertical portion, said vertical portionincludes said hook portion and said horizontal portion include said freeends.
 5. The device, as in claim 1, further comprising a reinforcementcrease provided on said hook member to increase a rigidity of said hookmember.
 6. The device, as in claim 1, further comprising a second strapconnected to said support member between said connector portions at oneend and to said first strap at the other end whereby said second strapengages the top of the head when the device is applied to the head ofthe person.
 7. The device, as in claim 6, further comprising a cushionattached to an inside surface of said support member.
 8. The device, asin claim 7, wherein: said cushion is a foam or fabric pad of material.9. The device, as in claim 1, further comprising a connector attached tosaid first strap and to said connector portions whereby said first strapis connected to said support member.
 10. The device, as in claim 1,wherein said connector portions include a slit forming a hook shapewhereby said first strap may be easily connected to said connector bysliding over said hook shape.
 11. The device, as in claim 1, whereinsaid connector portions include a closed loop whereby said first strapmay be threaded therethrough for attachment.
 12. The device, as in claim7, wherein said connector includes two closed loops.
 13. The device, asin claim 7, wherein said connector includes a closed loop and an openloop.
 14. A device for enhancing support of an appliance on the head ofa person, comprising: an adjustable head-mounted member adapted toengage the head of a person; a support member for supporting anappliance; said support member being attached to said head-mountedmember; and said support member including a hook member extendingvertically from said support member and a retention bracket adjustablypositioned relative to the hook member to retain the appliance on thehook member.
 15. The device, as in claim 14, wherein said retentionbracket is pivotally mounted on said support member to move between anopen position to permit placement of said appliance on said hook memberand a closed position where said appliance is retained on said hookmember.
 16. The device, as in claim 14, further comprising areinforcement crease provided on said hook member for increasing arigidity of said hook member.
 17. A support member attachable to ahead-engaging support member to enhance support of eyeglasses,comprising: a generally Y-shaped device including three portions endingin free ends; first and second hook members extending away from eachother and forming first and second portions of the general Y-shape; anda third hook member formed at the third portion of said general Y-shape,said third hook member extending vertically downwardly from said firstand second hook members, said third hook member including a retentionbracket adjustably positioned on the hook member to retain an applianceon the hook member.
 18. A support member, as in claim 17, wherein saidretention bracket is pivotally mounted on said third hook member.
 19. Asupport member, as in claim 17, further comprising a reinforcementcrease provided on said third hook member to add rigidity to a curvedportion of said hook member.